The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News. SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1872.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 754, 15 June 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1872.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

We have been at the pains to obtain further information respecting the charge laid by Rev. Mr. Edger against Rev. Mr. Bigg of having signed a recommendation in favour of license to, a certain hotel, and we find that the following was the certificate afforded : —" I hereby certify that having resided for two years opposite the Naval hotel, and my duties causing me to be about at all hours, both day and night, I never saw the least disorder in connection with Mr. Markham's hotel, and never saw any low characters frequenting the said hotel. Mr. Markham having asked me for a testimony, I feel that I am bound to state the above facts, even though they refer to a public-house." We do not hesitate to say that no man of honest and unprejudiced opinions could say that Mr. Rigg has acted otherwise than as he should have acted. There are hotels in this city the notorious haunts of prostitutes and the various classes that accompany them. If Mr. Edger and the TJ.K.A. had been content for the present with endeavoring to suppress these in the way the law allows, or in any other way, and had viewed even with favour and commendation the conduct of conscientious and respectable and well-doing hotelkeepers, they would have ministered to the cause of morality as well as temperance. Whatever may be Rev. Mr. Rigg's views on the movements of the U.K.A. we know not, nor is it material to the point. But we know that there are many sincerely religious people in this city, and who yield to none in pure, practical philanthropy, too, who regard the members of the U.K.A. as fools, and they are as entitled to their conscientious convictions as are the most zealous of the temperance reformers. We believe that the members of the TJ.K.A. are generally conscientious in their motives, that much of what they desire will yet be realised, and that if so it would go largely to make New Zealand a heaven on earth as compared with its present state. But they have a most blundering way of going about things, and they deter from their side those who should be their friends. We hold that it would be a duty in the present state of thing for every minister of religion in the city to make himself acquainted with the character of the hotels of the city, and while protesting against the infamous ones to honestly and honorably give his commendation and Irs help to any hotel-keeper who has tried his best to keep his hotel free from the evils so frequent in connection with the liquor traffic. We know that this is rank blasphemy if not atheism to those who have teetotalism as their gospel, and tako it as comprehending the whole duty of man; but we write for those whose intellect is not impaired by the teetotal craze. Bey.- M*. Rigg, in his certificate, simply expressed his own observation and experience as a neighbour respecting the hotel in question ; and, if under the influence of prejudice against the traffic he had written otherwise or even refused to write, he would have been either dishonest or a coward. We can assure Rev. Mr. Edger that virtue is not confined to his tabernacle, and that no tirades of envy, hatred, and uncharitableness, against legitimate ministers of religion will make him be regarded as the beau ideal of a Christian clergyman.

Our telegrams to-day announce the election of Sir David Munro, the late speaker of the House of Representatives for the district of Waikouaiti, It would appear that Mr Vogel's star must be declining in Otago, for he himself was long the representative of Waikouaiti, and had a large number of personal friends there. The electors have, however, returned a very able and formidable opponent to the present ministry.

The two boys Hughes were again brought up in the Police Court to-day on remand, and,, as will be seen from the report in another column, the police very properly withdrew the case, and Mr Beckham ordered the lads to be discharged. We sincerely believe that the police meant only to do good to the boys, and we shall greatly regret if this occurrence should in any way discourage them from an effort to ameliorate the condition of the City arabs. But it must be seen that uneasiness in the public mind was naturally caused by lads being forcibly removed, who instead of loafing and idling about the streets were honestly earning good wages. As for Mrs Wilson her intervention in the affair was simply one of benevolence and philanthropy. She had heard of the lads being taken v p. and of the difficulty in disposing of such cases, and she volunteered to take them away from temptation and give thorn employment. We cannot allow the caso to pass away from public notice without recording the fact that Mr Joy, who was employed for the defence, generously handed over the whole of his fee to procure clothing, ; &c, for the two boys.

We shall feel obliged if Turner, who found the purse containing £25, and returned it without promise of reward, will call on us. There are two situations awaiting his choice.

We are obliged to hold over till Monday a letter from Mr PI. P. Hay ward on the case McCulsky v. Westwood. The letter signed " Conformist" with reference to Rev Mr Edgar is too personal, and in part libellous, and no good purpose would be served by its publication. We have received a letter signed " Common Sense" in reply to " Inquisitor," whose letter on the Burgess Roll appeared in our yesterday's issue. Our correspondent says : — " Inquisitor seems to imply that there must be some foul play about the Burgess Roll if every one is not reminded of his rates due. But if a man really cares anything about the franchise surely he can take the trouble to call at the office of the Rate Collector, who every one knows will very courteously give him information as to his indebtedness. It is not the business of the Council to urge a man to qualify himself for voting. If he wants to vote let him enquire, and if requisite pay his rates due."

The library in connection /vrifch the Young Men's Christian Association was never in such a prosperous position as at the present moment. The committee are working wonders to make this department of the institution meet the requirements of the public. Former apathy has passed away, and, as will be seen by another column, a quantity of new works have found their way to the shelves. It is pleasing to learn that this augmentation will be repeated on the arrival of each mail from England. The subscribers to ihe library and reading-room are daily increasing, and no effort or expense will be spared to restore this once eminent association to its former standing among us.

We have been waited upon, this morning by William Cruse, who was last night arrestod for drunkenness and bailed out on his depositing one pound one as security with the police for his appearance at Court this morning. He came accompanied by four persons who corroborate his statement. They tell us that they were waiting at the door of the Police Court from twenty minutes past ten o'clock, and on the door being opened they all entered. They positively declare that William Cruses name wa» not called, which means of course that they did not hear it called, for we do not suppose that such an irregularity occurred as that implied by them. At the close of the proceeding; Cruse applied to the Clerk of the Court for his money, and was informed that he had forfeited bail for non-appearance. It seems to us that the case is simple of explanation. The names of the drunkards are hurriedly and indistinctly called at times by the police, and a man, even in waiting, is very liable to miss the sound of his name. We do not say this as any reflection on the police or on the conduct of the proceedings of the Court. But those in constant attendance in Court afe so famliar with the routine that what appears to them lesiure, order and method, seems railroad travelling to a man caught outside and brought into the sacred atmosphere of the temple of Themis, and especially if his brain is bemuddied with last night's drink. If Cruses tale is true we think it would not be unreasonable to expect that the money less the fine should be returned to him, and we think that without sympathising in the least with the drunkards, the fuddled state of their brains should be kindly considered in calling out their names in Court.

The Auckland Alliance will hold a committee meeting this evening at 7.30, in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association.

A correspondent wishes to know whether there is any likelihood of a crew being sent from Auckland to compete at the Wellington regatta, to come off on February next. We have heard nothing at present, but presume that the opportunity will not be lost sight of by our rowing men. If it is it will be a standing disgrace to Auckland, The legal manager of the Coromandel Excelsior Company gives notice that all forfeited shares in that Company will be refunded to the shareholders on payment of back calls.

The performance of the marionettes at the Parnell Hall to-night will be under the distinguished patronage of Captain Challis and Officers of H.M.S. ftosario. The lilliputian donkey is a clever contrivance and worth seeing. The prizes won at the late Rifle Association meeting were presented last night at the Drill-shed. There was a good attendance of Volunteers and friends. His Honor T. B. Gillies, Esq., as president of the Association, pre*ented the prizes to the winners,

The third of a series of lectures was delivered last night in the lecture-room of the Young Men's Christian Association. There was a very large attendance. The chairman was the Eev Mr Bree, president of the association, who introduced the lecturer, Mr H. H. Lusk, to the meeting. The subject of the lecture was, " How to read History," which was extremely interesting throughout. At its close the lecturer recommended the study of history as the best source of political experience to guide the efficient government of new states.

A meeting was held on Thursday of the shareholders of the Pride of the Tiki, when it was determined to 'form a company under the Joint Stock Companies Act. The company is to consist of 7000 shares of £1 each, 10s paid up, 1200 of the shares being held in trust for the company. Mr W. G. Harrison was appointed legal manager.

A meeting of shareholders in the Wynyardton Gold mining Company was held this morning at 11 o'clock afr the offices, Shortland street. The business was of a private nature.